Raymond Keethong Wong

“I feel what I’ve done is right and no-one can stop me.” Those fiery thoughts (dated Feb 1970) were the very last penned by Ray Wong in a personal journal where he logged his daily thoughts for three years while working in Hong Kong. Little did he know those words would manifest into an amazing journey to follow.

Do you see the undeniable link between Ray’s early upbringing and his destiny? It is well known that the middle child (often ignored and overlooked) has to fight harder to get their parents’ attention. Born smack in the middle of nine siblings - to Chan Ting Wang (father) and Hou Shih Wang (mother) in scrappy, earthy Calcutta, India - Ray would indeed grow up to be independent, competitive and a risk taker.

Ambitious and hardworking, Ray graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Calcutta. When he left for Hong Kong to take a job as Assistant Underwriter at American International Underwriters, his family was proud. Yet his heart hid a secret. Impatient and frustrated, he hated slogging away at an office job with a low salary and a boss that dismissed his potential. He knew this job was just a stopover.

Adding to his restlessness at age 26, he was in love with beautiful girl. Over a three-year courtship separated by 5,000 miles - Doreen in Calcutta and Ray in Hong Kong - he often doubted that his crush would ever give in to his persistent attempts to woo her. Romantic and longing, Ray’s weekly love letters and packages (gifts in the form of beautiful clothes) conveyed his passion and finally Doreen had to relent.

They married in Hong Kong in March 1970. After giving birth to a baby girl, they began a life in Canada that he always dreamed of. He gained his footing as an underwriter at Aetna Insurance Co. and commercial broker at Willis Louie Insurance in Vancouver. After buying out his partner at Citycore Insurance, he realized a personal goal of owning his own company. In 1983, “Ray Wong Insurance” was born.

Notable accompishments by Ray during this period included: Reed Shaw Stenhouse Award for academic achievement (1976); Norman Bortnick Memorial Award for highest GPA (1979); and Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Canada (1979).

Finally, the restlessness of his youth was tempered. Settling into a satisfying career, Ray felt he was where he belonged. He gained a reputation in the community who knew him by name. Some knocked on the Robson Street storefront to consult him for his unparallel insurance expertise; others just hung out for his salt-of-the-earth advice about life and cheesy comebacks (“Son of a gun!!!”).

Running a successful business six days per week for 35 years was not easy, especially with raising three children. But more than a businessman, he was a proud father to three university graduates. Two eventually joined the company to achieve another secret dream: making a family business.

Ray’s children will remember how he adored beauty in all forms, which were expressed through his hobbies. His Nikon camera became his life’s diary of joyful moments: from family outings to graduations. His played a bamboo flute and a personal record collection (John Denver, Wings, Roger Whittaker, Captain & Tennille, etc.) - just a few ways that conveyed the contentment finally in his heart.

If you’re wondering where and how Ray is doing, just know he is at peace. Remember him cruising in his favourite sports car - humming along to a favourite tune, sun roof lowered to release the gentlest breeze on his face - and not one glance at the rear view mirror for any regrets.

Ray is survived by: his wife Doreen; daughter Phelia, son-in-law Bill and grandchildren Lauren and Carson; daughter Shirley and son-in-law Mike; and son Richard. We also extend sincere condolences to his surviving siblings and their families: Lily Chiu, Nelson Wang and Michael Wang.